Schalast | Awards
We are also pleased at Schalast when our work is appreciated. Below is a selection of the prizes and awards we have received.
2025
Schalast Banking & Finance team successful in the Chambers FinTech Ranking 2025
The Schalast Banking & Finance team is once again successfully represented in Band 3 of the renowned Chambers FinTech Ranking. Among them, practice group leader Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter is also mentioned as an individual lawyer in Band 3.
Schalast ranked in the Leaders League Ranking 2025
Schalast is highlighted in the categories of "Banking & Finance", "Banking & Finance: Regulatory", "FinTech" as well as "M&A: Mid-Cap".
Schalast successfully included in the new Juve ranking of commercial law firms 2024/25
Schalast is prominently represented in the current Juve Rankings 2024/25. Schalast is recommended as a law firm for the “Central” region (4 stars), as well as for the areas of 'M&A' (2 stars) and 'Corporate Law' (1 star), 'Trademark and Design Law', 'Competition Law' (1 star each) and for 'Banking and Banking Supervision Law' (1 star).
Schalast successful in the Best Law Firms Ranking Germany 2025 by Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt
Schalast is successfully represented in the new ranking of ‘Best Law Firms Germany 2025’ by Best Lawyers in cooperation with Handelsblatt. This is the first ranking of its kind. Until now, Best Lawyers did not have a dedicated ranking for legal fields in Germany.
Schalast nominated for the iurratio Award 2025 in the category “Diversity & Social Responsibility”
We are delighted to be nominated for the iurratio Award 2025 in the category “Diversity & Social Responsibility”.
Schalast Lawyers once again recognized in the Best Lawyers Ranking 2025
Schalast lawyers were once again recognized by Best Lawyers this year. You can find all the recognized lawyers here.
2024
Schalast recognozed als "Best Referring Law Firm" by Multilaw
At the Multilaw Global Conference in Boston, Schalast was recognized as Best Referring Law Firm. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to international cooperation and exchange within the Multilaw network.
Schalast shortlisted in The Lawyer’s ranking
We are happy to announce that Schalast has been shortlisted in The Lawyer’s ranking again. Schalast is nominated in the categories “Law Firm of the Year: Germany” and “Most impactful ESG initiative”.
Schalast in the IFLR1000 2024 ranking
Schalast is again successfully listed in the IFLR1000 ranking this year. Schalast has already been mentioned in the M&A and Banking & Finance categories in recent years. This year, 'Financial Services Regulatory' has now also been included in the renowned ranking.
Schalast lawyers recognized by the Mondaq’s Spring 2024 Thought Leadership Awards
The Mondaq Spring 2024 Leadership Awards recognized Schalast Partner Janka Schwaibold and Schalast Attorney Victoria Boss in the field of Energy and Natural Resources.
Schalast IP Lawyers stepping up the ladder in the 2024 Leaders League Ranking
Leaders League commends Schalast in the current Trademark Ranking for Germany in both categories "Trademark Litigation" and "Trademark Prosecution". Also, Schalast partners Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle, Dr. Alexander Hauch and Prof. Dr. Thomas Sambuc, LL.M. (Yale) are ranked individually.
Kerstin Gruendig-Schnelle and Alexander Hauch once again in the IP Stars Ranking
The IP Stars Ranking has once again recognized two Schalast partners, Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle, named as one of 2024's IP Trademark Stars, and Alexander Hauch, distinguished as a Notable Practitioner. This acknowledgment from the industry's top news outlet, Managing IP, underlines the continued excellent work of our IP team.
Schalast once again recognized in the brand eins ranking of the best commercial law firms
Once again, Schalast been recognized in this year's brand eins ranking of the best commercial law firms in the banking sector.
WirtschaftsWoche recognized Schalast as top law firm 2024 in the legal field of M&A
The German top-tier business magazine WirtschaftsWoche recognized Schalast as Top Law Firm 2024 in the legal field of M&A. Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Managing Partner, is listed as Top Lawyer 2024 in M&A as well.
WirtschaftsWoche recognized Clemens Schalast as “Top Lawyer” in labour law
Every year, the top tier German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche honors the top law firms and lawyers for labour law and we are delighted to be among them again this year! Schalast partner Clemens Schalast, who focuses on collective bargaining issues, restructurings and M&A support, received the award.
Schalast recognized as “Top Law Firm 2024” in WiWo Ranking
This year, Schalast was once again recognized by WirtschaftsWoche as a "Top law firm" in the legal field of banking and finance law. Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Banking & Finance practice group and Co-Managing Partner, and Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Founder and Managing Partner, are each listed as "TOP Lawyer 2024".
Schalast is ranked once again in the Legal500 EMEA Green Guide
Prof. Dr. Schalast, Schalast Managing Partner, comments, “We’re honored to have been included in the prestigious Legal500 Green Guide for the third time. It testifies to our continued commitment to ESG matters. In this respect, law firms have a special role. Firstly, as legal advisors and, secondly, as firms in their own right. One goes hand in hand with the other.”
Schalast once again recognised as a top law firm in the Legal500 Germany Ranking 2024
Schalast was once again awarded as a Top Tier 1 law firm in Frankfurt in the Legal500 Germany Ranking 2024. They list Prof Dr Christoph Schalast, Prof Dr Andreas Walter, Kristof Schnitzler, Gregor Wedell and Dr Joachim Habetha. In addition, the energy team, led by Janka Schwaibold, is listed in the energy sector focus and categorised as "firm to watch".
Schalast Partners recognised by World Trademark Review 1000
Once again, Schalast Partners Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle and Dr. Alexander Hauch have been recognised by World Trademark Review (WTR 1000) – the World’s Leading Trademark Professionals – which lists the best trademark experts in the world. The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. Read more here.
Schalast in The Legal 500: Fintech Comparative Guide
Schalast is exclusive contributor to the 6th Edition of The Legal 500: Fintech Comparative Guide for Germany. In cooperation between Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of Banking & Finance Practice Group at Schalast and the Schalast Partners Alexander Gebhard and Simon Waldbröl, this chapter is providing interesting insights about questions all around innovative FinTech support. Read more here.
Schalast Banking & Finance Team ranked in the Chambers FinTech Ranking 2024
Schalast is included in Band 3 of the prestigious Chambers FinTech Ranking again this year. Our Banking & Finance team has already been ranked in the Chambers Fintech Guide for five years. Also, Prof Dr Andreas Walter and Alexander Gebhard are ranked again as individual lawyers in Band 3. Read more here.
Schalast successfully represented in the new Juve Ranking of Commercial Law Firms 2023/24
Schalast is prominently represented in the current Juve Rankings 2023/24. Schalast is recommended as a law firm for the region "Central" (4 stars), as well as for the areas 'M&A' (2 stars) and 'Corporate Law' (1 star), as well as for 'Trademark and Design Law' and 'Competition Law' (1 star each). In addition, this year for the first time the Banking & Finance team is also represented in the ranking for 'Banking and Banking Supervisory Law' (1 star). More information here.
Schalast ranked in the Leaders League Ranking 2024
The newest Leaders’ League rankings for Germany highly recommend Schalast in the category “Fintech” with Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Schalast Banking & Finance practice group and Banking & Finance Partner Alexander Gebhard as recommended individuals. Schalast is also recommended for “Banking & Finance”, again naming Andreas Walter individually.
Schalast is also recommended once more in the category “M&A Midcap” with Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Managing Partner and Corporate/M&A Partner, as well as M&A-Partner and co practice group head Gregor Wedell as individuals. Read more about the ranking here.
2023
Schalast wins Multilaw Firm of the Year 2023 Award
We’re happy and honoured to have been named: “Multilaw Firm of the Year 2023”.
Schalast recommended again in the IFLR1000 Banking and M&A rankings
Schalast is recommended once more by the prestigious IFLR1000 rankings in the categories of “Banking” and “M&A”. Read more about the ranking here.
Schalast Lawyers recognized in the Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt 'Germany's Best Lawyers’ Ranking 2023
This year, even more Schalast lawyers were honored by The Best Lawyers. In Germany, the renowned ranking is published by Handelsblatt. We are especially delighted that Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle was named Lawyer of the Year for the legal field Intellectual Property Law. Read about the other Schalast Lawyers ranked in the 15th edition of "The Best Lawyers in Germany" here.
Leaders League recommends Schalast in six legal fields and seven lawyers individually
In this year’s Leaders League ranking, our firm and seven of our lawyers were honored for their outstanding work. Read more about it here.
Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle and Alexander Hauch honored in the IP Stars Ranking
The IP Stars Ranking has once again recognized two Schalast partners, Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle, named as one of 2023's IP Trademark Stars, and Alexander Hauch, distinguished as a Notable Practitioner. This acknowledgment from the industry's top news outlet, Managing IP, underlines the excellent work of our IP team in 2022.
Schalast in the brand eins ranking of the best commercial law firms
Schalast has been included in the current ranking of the best commercial law firms in the Banking sector by the business magazine brand eins. Brandeins publishes annual rankings for commercial law firms. The ranking is based on surveys of industry and client representatives, who were given the opportunity to recommend law firms for different specializations within the ranking of firms. Only law firms that were recommended more frequently than average for a legal field are listed in the ranking.
Schalast listed as "TOP Law Firm 2023" in the current WirtschaftsWoche in the legal field of banking and finance law
Schalast is listed as "TOP Law Firm 2023" in the legal field of banking and finance law in the current WirtschaftsWoche magazine. Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Banking & Finance Practice Group and Co-Managing Partner, and Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Founder and Managing Partner, are each listed as "TOP Law Firm 2023".
Schalast included once again prominently in the Legal500 EMEA Guide
Schalast is honored to appear once more in the prestigious Legal500 Europe, Middle East & Africa guide. Our expertise is recognized in the new 2023 edition the areas of M&A (small cap), Fintech, Telecoms and Media (Entertainment). What is more, our IP-Team that has joint Schalast last year, has made it into the Intellectual Property (Trademark) ranking.
Schalast included in The Legal 500 Green Guide 2023
We are pleased to be included in the second Legal 500 EMEA Green Guide 2023. The Legal 500's Global Green Guide is the first guide to provide an overview of the world´s best law firms advising on climate change, corporate governance and sustainability. It highlights the leading law firms and individuals in each country and recognizes a firm's contribution to "green change" and ESG.
Schalast Banking & Finance Team ranked in the Chambers FinTech Ranking 2023
Schalast made it into the Chambers FinTech Ranking again this year.
Our practice group has been in the ranking for four years, and this year it moved up in the ranking from Band 4 to Band 3. Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter and Alexander Gebhard were included in the ranking as individual lawyers.
Schalast is listed once more as a top tier law firm in Legal500 Germany in 2023
Schalast has been listed as a top law firm (Tier 1) in the Frankfurt metropolitan region in Legal500 Germany for more than 10 years. In addition, the energy team around Janka Schwaibold was included in the "Firms to Watch" for the first time and the trademark/IP team in Stuttgart, which only joined in 2022, was ranked immediately. Other practices areas included in the prestigious ranking include Telecommunications with practice head Dr. Georg Berger, Fintech, M&A, Entertainment and Trademark Law.
2022
The new Legal500 Comparative Fintech Guide is out
The Schalast Fintech team has contributed the chapter on Germany in the new Legal500 Comparative Fintech Guide.
The Lawyer shortlists Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast as 'European managing partner of the year' and Schalast Banking & Finance team as ‘European finance team of the year’
We are happy to announce that Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast has been shortlisted once again as ‘European managing partner of the year’ and our Schalast Banking & Finance team has been nominated once more as ‘European finance team of the year’ by the prestigious magazine ‘The Lawyer’.
IP Awards
IP firm LichtensteinKörner, which joined Schalast in October 2022, is represented in numerous prestigious rankings.
It is listed among the Tier 6 law firms in the Legal500 Trade Marks in Germany Ranking and is listed in the Juve Ranking "Trademark and Competition Law" in Germany.
In the Leaders League Ranking, LichtensteinKörner was recognized as a recomended firm. Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle and Dr. Alexander Hauch were also included individually and named as recommended. Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle and Dr. Alexander Hauch are recommended together with LichtensteinKörner in the Who's Who Legal Ranking.
The WTR 1000 (World Trademark Review), which focuses exclusively on trademark law, awards Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle with "Silver - Individuals" and Dr. Alexander Hauch with "Bronze - Individuals" in Germany.
Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle is awarded by IP Stars as "Trade mark star 2022 in Germany" and Dr. Alexander Hauch as "Notable practitioner".
Schalast's M&A team sucessfully positioned in the IFLR100 2022 ranking and Schalast in IFLR1000 ranking for banking 2022
We are honoured that Schalast’s M&A team has been once more included in the prestigious IFLR1000 M&A ranking. Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Founder and Managing Partner of Schalast Law | Tax, comments:” As an active and passionate member of the M&A practice group, this ranking is especially important to me. It also shows that this last year, we have been able to create synergies among our different offices including Stuttgart and Dusseldorf, as well as with our growing VC practice in Berlin."
We are honoured that Schalast also has been included in the new IFLR1000 ranking for banking 2022. Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Banking & Finance team at Schalast, comments: “This ranking is very important to us as it underlines the trust of our clients as well as our international competence and recognition."
The Best Lawyers Germany / Handelsblatt "Deutschlands Beste Anwälte": Six Schalast partners recognized once again
Schalast is once again represented by six different lawyers in the Best Lawyers Germany edition. In Germany, this prestigious ranking is published by Handelsblatt as “Deutschlands Beste Anwälte”. Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, the law firm’s founder and Managing Partner, was recently included in the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany for Real Estate Law. Clemens Schalast, head of the practice area, for his practice in Labor Law. In Technology Law, Jan Schneider was selected this year. Dr. Matthias Geurts, partner in the Banking & Finance and Tax practice groups, was selected for inclusion in Banking & Finance Law, Investment Funds and Tax Law, and Dr. Udo Kornmeier for his practice in Media Law.
Dr. Hans Hofmann was included in the 2023 edition in the areas of Leasing Law and Real Estate Law. Moreover, we are pleased to share that due to the extremely high feedback The Best Lawyers received, Dr. Hofmann has additionally been recognized as one of the 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" award recipients in his specialities. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.
In cooperation with The Best Lawyers, Handelsblatt has awarded our new IP partner Dr. Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle as the Best Lawyer 2022 in Germany.
WiWo ranking Triple Crown: Schalast "TOP law firm 2022" in banking and finance law, corporate law and mergers & acquisitions / Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast best lawyer in banking and finance, corporate law and mergers & acquisitions
Schalast is once again listed as a "TOP Law Firm" in the WirtschaftsWoche ranking in the legal fields of banking and finance law, corporate law and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). In addition, Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Founder & Managing Partner, is listed as "Top Lawyer 2022" in the fields of banking and finance law, corporate law and M&A. Hence, both the firm and its founder and Managing Partner Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast can be said to have achieved the WiWo Triple Crown. Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Banking & Finance Practice Group, is also recognised as "TOP Lawyer 2022" in the field of banking and finance law.
The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2022 guide includes Schalast as a TOP TIER law firm from Germany
Schalast is honored to have made it once more into one of the prestigious Legal500 rankings. The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2022 guide includes as a TOP TIER law firm from Germany. Our expertise is recognized in the areas of M&A (small cap), Fintech, Media and Telecoms and we scored as one of Frankfurt’s TOP TIER firms
The EMEA guide provides researched coverage of over 80 countries and over 2,700 ranked law firms. The guide’s research is conducted annually, providing a detailed qualitative assessment of various factors including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically; experience and depth of teams; specialisms and ancillary services; and, importantly, opinions of law firms’ clients – each year.
We are honored to be named as Recommended Firm in the first Legal500 EMEA Green Guide
As our founder and Managing Director, Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, points out: “The Legal500 EMEA Green Guide recognition is a great achievement for us, as it recognizes and builds on the sustainability initiatives we have taken throughout our history as a firm.”
Dr. Roland Arlt, member of the Banking & Finance practice group, highlights: „Green Finance has been a key area of our Banking practice for many years, and ESG and sustainability linked aspects are increasingly becoming drivers of our firm-wide legal practice. We are delighted that our ESG commitment and expertise has been recognised by the Legal500 EMEA Green Guide.”
Last year, Schalast also committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and introduced the new role of an SDG Officer. As Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Deputy Managing Partner and Head of the Banking & Finance practice group, points out: “We have introduced new SDG standards for us as firm that guide both our internal conduct as our legal advisory. We are very happy that now, with the Legal500 EMEA Green Guide Recognition, we can take the next step on our path to making a positive impact.”
Schalast’s Banking & Finance team and its team head Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter in Chambers 2022 FinTech Legal ranking
We are honoured that the Chambers 2022 ranking recognizes the special strength of Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter and his Banking & Finance team in the area of FinTech Legal advisory.
As Chambers points out: “Schalast has specialist expertise in loan platform structuring. It advises growing and established FinTech, startups on the regulatory structuring of products such as payment cards, insurance platforms and digital banks.”
Andreas Walter explains: “We are especially grateful to have received such great feedback from our clients, appreciating our pragmatic and result-driven approach. I am confident that we will be able to continue and even enhance these top-notch services for our clients. We have recently expanded our services in the areas of regulatory and auditing by founding the Schalast Auerbach AG with renowned auditor Dirk Auerbach and his team in Frankfurt and we established a Venture Capital focus with Dr. Marc-André Rousseau in Berlin.
Schalast achieves placement in 5 Legal500 categories - 10 lawyers recommended by name
In the current Legal500 ranking, Schalast is prominently placed in five categories. In the best category Germany TOP TIER, Schalast is ranked in "Corporate Law and M&A > M&A: Smaller Deals" as well as "Regional Law Firms: Commercial Law > Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region".
Our practice areas "Banking and Finance > FinTech (Volume 4)", "Telecommunications (Volume 3)" and "Media > Entertainment (Volume 5)" also made it into the prestigious ranking.
We would like to thank our clients for their trust and especially congratulate our ten partners who are recommended by name in the Legal 500 rankings: Dr. Ernst Georg Berger, Alexander Gebhard, Ramón Glaßl, Dr. Udo Kornmeier, Christian Ritter von Strobl-Albeg, Prof. Joachim Ritter von Strobl-Albeg, Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast, Dr. Thorsten Voß, Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter and Gregor Wedell.
Detailed information on the Legal500 rankings can be found here.
Six lawyers from Schalast were recognized in 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Germany
Christoph Schalast, Managing Partner of Schalast Law | Tax, was recently included in the 13th edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Germany for Real Estate Law. Clemens Schalast, head of the practice area, for his practice in Labor Law. Hans Hofmann was included in the 2022 edition in the areas of Leasing Law and Real Estate Law. In Technology Law, Jan Schneider was selected this year. Matthias Geurts, partner in the Banking & Finance and Tax practice group, was selected for inclusion in Banking & Finance Law, Investment Funds and Tax Law, and Udo Kornmeier for his practice in Media Law.
2021
The Lawyer nominates Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast as 'European managing partner of the year' and Schalast Banking & Finance team as ‘European finance team of the year’
We are happy and proud to announce that Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast has been nominated as ‘European managing partner of the year’ and our Schalast Banking & Finance team has been nominated as ‘European finance team of the year’ by the prestigious magazine ‘The Lawyer’. As ‘The Lawyer’ says, they research “the crème de la crème of the European legal market".
Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast says “I am very honored to be nominated for such a prestigious award. Building on our ‘Law firm of the year award’ in 2018, it shows that we are on a right track with our growth strategy. It is marked by what we call “growth for impact” – that is the strategic investment of resources in areas where we see innovative potential for our clients’ businesses. But, most importantly, I want to point out that this nomination does not just reflect my own work – but that of the entire team – across all our offices and sectors. Thanks to all our clients for their continued trust and thank you, Schalast team!”
Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Head of the Banking & Finance team, explains: “This nomination is big honor for my team because it underlines our international recognition and competitiveness, in particular regarding our expertise in Fintech and other innovative products and business models. What is more, as a consequence of our growth strategy, we are able to complete even more and bigger deals.”
What is more, our international network ‘Multilaw’ is nominated at ‘Global Network of the year’ – further supporting the international scope of our mind-set and our consulting capacities. We look forward to working together so successfully with all our partners and clients in Germany and across the globe!
Schalast is WiWo Top Law Firm for Corporate Law
The Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) asked more than 4900 lawyers from 270 law firms about their most renowned colleagues in labor and corporate law. According to the jury's evaluation, 51 law firms with 90 lawyers prevailed in the corporate law ranking. With Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast as a "highly recommended lawyer", Schalast Law | Tax is awarded as a Top Law Firm.
Managing Partner and founder Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast about the award: „After our law firm was awarded by WiWo for Banking & Finance Law, we are very proud and feel honoured, that the work for our Corporate practise is also valued. The award for WiWo Top Law Firm confirms that our strategy to bring both our renowned Banking & Finance Law group and our Corporate team to the highest standards is working and we will continue to strengthen their synergies.”
Schalast Law | Tax congratulates all other awarded law firms and is looking forward to keep following successful, strategic growth.
The ranking of all awarded law firms can be found here.
Schalast wins Legal 500 Triple Crown: Top Tier, Leading Firm and numerous Recommended Lawyer and Leading Individuals, respectively.
Schalast once again wins the Triple Crown at The Legal 500 (Legalease): "Schalast stands out due to the broad range of its expertise in corporate, finance, labour and commercial law as well as the international footprint of its clients".
The report goes on to highlight that the firm advises important German and foreign banks and financial services providers, particularly in its core areas.
We are particularly pleased that Schalast "stands out" in the new legal segment FinTech, which Chambers and Partners also confirmed in its current FinTech Ranking 2021 a few days ago. Further rankings can be found in the areas of telecommunications and entertainment/media. The close cooperation within the Tier 1 network Multilaw and the innovative approach together with the sister company CLARIUS.LEGAL Rechtsanwaltsaktiengesellschaft are particularly highlighted.
Georg Berger, Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter, Gregor Wedell, Dr. Thorsten Voß, Dr. Udo Kornmeier and Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast are individually recommended.
2020
Schalast ranked among the top law firms in the FinTech sector by Chambers & Partner
The SCHALAST Banking & Finance Team was again listed in the most important international ranking of the legal industry published by Chambers & Partners This time in the FinTech section. We are particularly pleased to hear what our clients have said about us: " Consistently high-quality output and good dependability" and "I've been impressed by their detailed knowledge of regulatory authorities and requirements - they have a lot of experience in this area. In addition to the entire team, practice group leader Prof. Dr. Andreas Walter was included in the ranking as an individual with the comments "outside-the-box thinker" and "proactive, practical and a great partner".
SCHALAST covers the entire sector in the field of FinTech & Innovative Products. A certain emphasis is placed on credit programs and platforms, where a significant part of the German offerings have been legally structured by SCHALAST's lawyers. But also the areas of payment transactions, deposit business, block chain and recently increasingly factoring are covered. A major advantage of the Banking & Finance team at SCHALAST is that it does not focus or even limit itself to FinTech but covers the entire spectrum of the financial industry. Thus, SCHALAST also advises on large-volume financing, on all questions of banking supervisory law, in connection with the structuring of refinancing and capital investment products and in connection with disputes, whether litigation or arbitration.
Best Lawyers lists Schalast
In the 5th annual global business edition of Best Lawyers, three Schalast Partners and one Of Counsel have been highlighted.
This is in recognition of the dynamic development, particularly in the areas of Labour Law, Employment Law, Litigation and M&A/Real Estate.
We are pleased about this recognition, especially in these difficult times.
Best Lawyers: Clemens Schalast awarded
In recent years, Schalast's practice group Labor Law/Human Resources has grown dynamically. This is not least due to the addition of Boris Christian from SKW Schwarz and Britta Fischer from Lufthansa at the end of 2019. The visibility of the team has thus increased considerably and has now also been visibly documented by the award of Clemens Schalast as Best Lawyer. Today, the Schalast team in Frankfurt consists of three partners and two associates, in Hamburg another partner is to be added in the course of the year.
Furthermore Dr. Hans Hofmann, Dr. Udo Kornmeier and Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast were also awarded as Best Lawyers.
Legal 500: Top Tier und Recommended Lawyer
As in previous years, Schalast was recommended as a Tier 1 law firm for the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan regionby the editorial team of "The Legal500" in 2020. Managing Partner Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast was also highlighted as a recommended lawyer.
Furthermore, it should also be emphasized that for the first time the firm's telecommunications practice was named as a leading law firm in the sector focus on telecommunications. A great success for the team around Schalast partner Dr. Ernst Georg Berger, who is also personally recommended by Legal500.
The Legal500 is a directory of leading law firms in Germany and is primarily used by legal professionals who need legal expertise. The Specialist Directory contains approximately 400 commercial law firms and 2,700 lawyers (in total there are more than 165,000 registered lawyers in Germany).
The recommended attorneys are determined by hundreds of interviews, which were managed with about 14,000 clients. The research also takes into account the visibility and strength of the firm in the German legal market in general.
Schalast Top Employer in Frankfurt
Schalast was honored by the azur editorial team in the current issue of azur100 as one of the top employers in the Frankfurt-Hessen region. In doing so, Schalast was able to prevail against a whole series of other renowned top law firms. You can find more information here: https://www.azur-online.de/2020/03/schalast-partner-top-arbeitgeber-in-frankfurt-und-hessen.
Under the azur brand, JUVE-Verlag provides young lawyers with orientation on the job market in a variety of ways. Who are the top employers for lawyers? How do employees rate their own satisfaction? Who offers the best training opportunities? The answers to these and many other questions are provided by azur100. In addition to the 50 top-ranked companies on the azur list, the editorial team presents 30 local champions and 20 attractive employers in hot legal fields.
Schalast is very proud to be among the local champions in the region. The result shows above all that the career development at Schalast, the innovative projects, the agile working, the activities in the legal tech area, but also the work-life balance of the employees, offered part-time models, associate retreats and secondments are rated particularly positively.
Schalast was also honored by the azur editorial team in the categories Innovation and Arbeitgeber Region. Even though the awards were given to other law firms, the double nomination is extremely gratifying and was also particularly acknowledged during the award ceremony and celebrations on March 5, 2020 in Cologne.
Schalast nominated in 2 categories for the azur Awards 2020
The business law firm Schalast was nominated in two categories for the azur Awards 2020 by the editorial staff of the magazine azur. Specifically, the law firm was entered into the race by azur in the categories Innovation and Employer Region.
The azur Award Innovation honors imaginative employers for lawyers. The focus is on law firms and legal departments that have new ideas for promising topics such as legal tech, diversity, pro bono, work-life balance, working hours, compensation or training.
Schalast has been particularly active in this area in recent years, be it through the new part-time partnership career system, the entry into the LegalTech law firm Clarius.Legal, the implementation of agile project management, the international integration of young lawyers in the law firm network Multilaw and the introduction of a customized training program for lawyers and trainee lawyers.
The azur Award Employer Region focuses on the regional anchoring and the importance for a regional applicant market.
On March 5, 2020, the azur Awards will be presented at a festive awards ceremony in Cologne. More information about the azur Awards 2020 can be found under this link.
2019
Legal 500: Top Tier und Recommended Lawyer
Besides Schalast as a firm also our lawyers Christoph Schalast, Andreas Walter, Gregor Wedell and Hans Hofmannwere recommended by Legal500.
The Lawyer European Awards 2019
Schalast Finalist: European finance deal of the year
IFLR 1000
Schalast's M&A team is recommended by the renowned international Direc-tory IFLR 1000 for M&A in Germany. For its directory, IFLR draws on hundreds of interviews with partners from the world's leading law firms as well as over 60,000 client recommendations.
With few exceptions, all recommended law firms are major international law firms. Schalast's M&A team has significantly expanded its transactional work in recent years and has been man-dated in many national and international transactions. Currently, the team consists of three experienced partners and six associates.
The practice group not only advises on transactions, but also on an ongoing basis advises companies of various sizes on all emerging corporate and commercial law issues.
Chambers: FinTech
2018
Schalast selected as German Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer European Awards
Last Thursday, on 15 March, the renowned English online legal news provider The Lawyer honoured leading independent law firms in the most important European jurisdictions when it presented The Lawyer European Awards in London. Schalast was selected as "German Law Firm of the Year". The judging panel particularly emphasised Schalast's focus on service delivery and its openness for and use of legal tech. Schalast was able to assert itself against major national law firms such as Hengeler Müller, Noerr or Gleiss Lutz.
Founding partner Professor Christoph Schalast was pleased about this international recognition: "The Lawyer European Awards are the benchmark for excellence in providing legal advice. That Schalast as a medium-sized law firm came first is sensational and confirms our strategy.".
The Lawyer European Awards honour firms that are committed to excellence and have a clear strategic vision and a corresponding approach to providing legal advice. The judging panel is made up of 21 experienced and skilled lawyers from private practice and industry. Members of the judging panel included managing partners at law firms such as Hogan Lovells or Osborne Clarke, as well as the legal counsel of PayPal, Airbnb, Barclays and Société Général.
As well as Schalast, the Multilaw partner firms Portolano Cavallo and Moroğlu Arseven also received the awards for their respective country categories on 15 March 2018. Last year, the network Multilaw, of which Schalast is a member, itself won the award for Network of the Year.
Global Law Experts: Annual Awards Winner - Mid-Market M&A Law Firm of the Year in Germany
2017
The Lawyer European Awards 2017: Schalast Finalist: European banking & finance deal of the year and Law firm of the year: Germany
Schalast has been nominated by the respected magazine The Lawyer both in the category GERMAN LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR and in the category EUROPEAN BANKING & FINANCE DEAL OF THE YEAR. Multilaw, the law firm network of which Schalast is a member, has also been nominated in the category GLOBAL NETWORK OF THE YEAR.
Legal500: Schalast is Tier One in Frankfurt
For the third time in succession Legal500 Germany has ranked Schalast as a tier one law firm for the commercial law centre Frankfurt/Main. The guide expressly mentioned the strengthening of the Media Practice Group as well as the strong Banking & Finance Practice Group. Further, the growing Practice Groups Real Estate and Labor Law were highlighted.
2016
The Lawyer 2016 – Schalast nominated for two awards
Schalast & Partner has for the second time in succession been nominated for two European Lawyer Awards by the leading British legal industry magazine “The Lawyer”. Schalast & Partner is once again on the shortlist in the categories “Law firm of the year: Germany” and “European Banking & Finance Deal of the year”. The European Awards have been honouring excellent achievements on the European legal services market for many years.
The focus of this year’s jury of top-class independent experts was the international work of the participating firms and the increasing crossborder demands this work has to meet. Firms were thus asked to demonstrate their activities and initiatives in the past year which were aimed at building a profile with international clients and referral partners.
“We are pleased that we have been shortlisted for two awards this year as well. This not only underlines our presence and competitiveness on the German market, but also our increasingly successful network and reputation at international level,” comments Prof. Dr Christoph Schalast. “Together with other well-known firms such as Gleiss Lutz or Noerr, we are eagerly awaiting the awards ceremony at the beginning of March.”
The international network Multilaw, which Schalast & Partner joined in 2010, has also been shortlisted by The Lawyer for an award. This network of law firms which last year achieved ELITE status in the respected ‘Chambers Global Guide’, was successful in being nominated for the new category “Global network of the year”. Also shortlisted for “The European Lawyer Awards 2016” are the Multilaw partner firms Moroglu Arseven in the category “Law firm of the year: Turkey” and Tuca Zbarcea & Associatii for “Law firm of the year: Romania”.
The full shortlist can be accessed here
Legal500 2016: Schalast ranked as a tier one law firm in Frankfurt am Main
For the second time in succession, The Legal 500 Germany has ranked Schalast & Partner as a tier one law firm for the commercial law centre Frankfurt. The client guide has the following to say about Schalast & Partner:
“Frankfurt as a banking and financial centre is characterised by strong competition amongst its law firms and the presence of a large number of Anglo-Saxon law firms [...]. Some smaller law firms have been very successful in this and medium-sized law firms also regularly advise on cases of spectacular size and surprisingly international quality.“
The entry continues:
“The showcase practice areas of Schalast & Partner Rechtsanwälte are M&A, banking and capital markets law, as well as providing comprehensive advice on NPL. The practice area banking and financial law has in particular demonstrated dynamic growth […].”
Special mention is given to Matthias Schmidt from the litigation practice group and the company law/M&A expert Kristof Schnitzler, who is being made a partner of the law firm on 1 January 2016.
The Legal 500 Germany has this to say about the team overall:
“Christoph Schalast heads a team of competent partners with an entrepreneurial mindset, whose uncomplicated and pragmatic manner is very well received.”
2015
The Lawyer nominated Schalast & Partner
For the first time, UK leading law journal „The Lawyer“ (London) has nominated Schalast & Partner for two of its prestigious European Lawyer Awards. In January the journal announced that it has shortlisted Schalast & Partner for the categories “Law firm of the year Germany” and “European banking and finance deal of the year”. Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast comments on the good start to 2015: “What is special about the “The Lawyer Awards” is that the candidates for the shortlists are picked by an independent and high-class jury. This is also reflected by the selected competitors like Hengeler Müller, Gleiss Lutz and Noerr, compared to which we operate as medium-sized law firm. The nomination for the “European banking and finance deal of the year” visualizes the importance to expand and strengthen this sector dynamically”.
Kanzleimonitor: Schalast - Labor and Employment Law practice top-notch in Frankfurt
A survey carried out by Kanzleimonitor on the basis of interviews of general counsel of leading German businesses ranks Schalast & Partners´ labor and employment law practice number 2 in Frankfurt (directly behind Allen & Overy) and as one of the leading practices in Germany.
The practice group leader Clemens Schalast comments:
“This recommendation shows that the purposeful development of our labor law practice including laterals as Ann-Charlotte Ebener and Kerstin Streichardt has proven to be successful and consistent. We feel especially honoured by this ranking, because it results from a client voting.”
Various:
2014
Legal 500: Schalast listed as tier one law firm in Frankfurt
The German edition of The Legal 500 was published again at the end of December. Schalast has been listed in it as a tier one law firm in Frankfurt am Main.
The client guide has the following to say about Schalast & Partner: “Frankfurt as Germany’s biggest banking and financial centre is characterised by strong competition amongst its law firms ... . Independent smaller firms constantly have to compete against larger rivals; the market does, however, offer opportunities for local law firms that have a similar entrepreneurial mindset to international law firms and also have special expertise in certain specialist fields.”
Prof. Dr Christoph Schalast commented on this as follows:
“We are really proud that we have with our law firm been able to hold our ground so well in Frankfurt in the last 17 years.”
Schalast & Partner was awarded one of the top 25 real estate law firms in Germany
Regularly WirtschaftsWoche, leading German economic newspaper, has been publishing rankings of leading German law firms based on data base research and expert interviews as well as a final selection by a high profile jury made up by industry leaders as Carsten Beisheim, head of legal and compliance of Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG, Thomas Hegel, CEO LEG Immobilien, and Dirk Sonnberg, head of legal and compliance of Deutsche Wohnen AG.
Prof. Dr. Christoph Schalast comments:
„Having successfully established our debt and claims trading practice (non-performing loans, credit linked loans) throughout the last years, we are delighted to see that we have as well succeeded in establishing Schalast & Partner in all real estate-related transactions in a rather short period of time.
This award is all the more valuable for Schalast & Partner as we have been able to compete with the big international law firms.
This was only rendered possible on the basis of the trust and confidence of our clients and friends, for which we are very grateful.“
Schalast has been shortlisted in two categories of the ‘MPF Awards for Management Excellence in Professional Firms’. In collaboration with the Harvard Business Review, The Financial Times and Google Enterprise, the shortlist nominations were assessed by more than 25 judges from Europe and North America. Schalast is going head-to-head with international law firms such as Shearman Sterling and national champions like Farrer & Co. and DWF in the 'BEST MANAGED NATIONAL FIRM' and 'BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT' categories.
Azur: Top Arbeitgeber
We have been named a top employer by the career magazine Azur, which makes us extremely happy and confirms our course.
1998 - 2013
Particular highlights are the Juve Awards Law Firm of the Year Mittelstand, Law Firm of the Year Telecommunications and Law Firm of the Year Frankfurt am Main we received in 2007. We were also nominated for the Juve Award Law Firm of the Year Mittelstand in 2006.
A selection: